>>68297934literally the whole thematic point of LOTR having Smeagol be the one who ends up inadvertently destroying the ring is that there is always redemption even for the most fallen people through sacrifice, that even the smallest people can be heroes and that the world was saved through the domino effect of Bilbo's act of mercy when he spared Smeagol in the Hobbit.
Although Tolkein retconning it in his letters by going 'ackshually God intervened and pushed him' kind of fucks this up a bit. It would have been even more thematically powerful if Smealgol willingly threw himself in the fire tbdesu
